More than 30 cult groups have been outlawed in Akwa Ibom State following the signing of an Executive Order to that effect by the governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, yesterday.The governor’s action may not be unconnected with the current security challenges being experienced in three local government areas of the state. The local councils mostly affected include Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun and Ikot Ekpene.

Known as Cultism and other Violent Behaviour Prohibition Order, the order takes effect from March 12, 2018.At the brief signing ceremony, Emmanuel said the Executive Order is to reenergize the existing criminal code law, Cap 38 Laws of Akwa Ibom State dated 2000.

Emmanuel who drew strength from Section 70 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 38 Volume 2 laws of Akwa Ibom (2000), said although only three local government areas have security flashpoints, the law was binding and would be effected in all the 31 local councils of the state.

Justifying the governor’s move while addressing newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko, lamented that the problem of cultism and other unlawful acts in the state has become a major source of concern to the government.

“In 2003, the administration of Obong Victor Attah enacted a law to prohibit cult groups and other unlawful and violence behavior. There is also a provision in the criminal code, which prohibits existence of secret societies. However, section 70 of the criminal code specifically requires the governor to; by order, list out cult groups and criminal societies and to prohibit them. There was no specific prohibition order prohibiting these cult groups by name. So this action is to give effect to the prohibition of all the cult groups from operating in any part of the state”.